Drugovich set for racing return in ELMS with Vector Sport

40

Aston Martin F1 reserve driver Felipe Drugovich is set for a return to competitive racing this year, with the young Brazilian joining the European Le Mans Series for its 2024 season.

The 2022 FIA Formula 2 Champion - who took part in two Friday F1 free practice sessions with Aston last year - will contest the full six-rounds of the ELMS with British outfit Vector Sport.

Drugovich will share the wheel of the outfit's LMP2 ORECA-Gibson 07 with teammates Stephane Richelmi and Ryan Cullen, the 23-year-old replacing Gabriel Aubry who was originally slated to continue with Vector Sport after competing in the LMP2 category of the World Endurance Championship in 2023.

“It's good to know that I will be back in action in real races, bringing together my experience and my fondness for endurance racing,” Drugovich commented.

“My job as substitute and reserve driver with Aston Martin in F1 continues with its full schedule; I will just be keeping busy on my weekends which up until now have been free.

“I have met the team and was impressed with what I saw: I am sure that together with them and my fellow drivers we can write a successful chapter with the #10 ORECA.”

Read also:

Red Bull: Sixteen drivers eyeing 2025 seat, but Perez 'on pole'

Before his race debut with Vector Sport, Drugovich will get a feel for his new ride and team when he joins Richelmi and Cullen for a two-day test at Paul Ricard this week.

Ryan Cullen/Matthias Kaiser/Gabriel Aubry #10 Vector Sport Oreca 07- Gibson – Six Hours of Portimao 2023.

Unfortunately, the 2024 ELMS schedule sees four of its six rounds coincide with Formula 1 race weekends. For those events, Aston Martin will rely on its co-reserve F1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne to substitute for Drugovich.

The Belgian is racing this year in both Formula E and in the WEC, but there are fortunately not clashes with those respective series on the designated Grand Prix weekends.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.